Can anyone suggest whether I can go for Mandrake v10.1 with my PC having the following hardware configuration:

1) Operating System: Windows XP Sp2 - Build 2600
2) Processor: 1.2 GHz Intel Celeron
32 kb primary memory cache
256 kb secondary memory cache
3) Drives: 39.98 GB usable HD capacity
HL-DT-ST-CD-RW GCE-8481B(CD ROM DRIVE)
SAMSUNG DVD-ROM SD-616F(CD ROM DRIVE)
3.5" fLOPPY DRIVE
SAMSUNG SV4012H (40.06 GB) HARD DRIVE
4) MAIN CIRCUIT BOARD: GIGABYTE GA 6IWFE
5) BIOS: Award Software International Inc v6.00 PG Dt.11/01/2001
6) Memory Modules: 256 MB Installed Memory
7) Printer: Epson Stylus C41 SX
8)Controllers:
Standard Floppy Disk controller
Intel(R) 82801BA Ultra ATA Controller
PRIMARY IDE CHANNEL
SECONDARY IDE CHANNEL
9) Bus Adapters: Intel(R) 82801BA/B AM USB Universal Host Controller - 2442
Intel(R) 82801 BA/B AM USB Universal Host Controller - 2444

10) Display: Intel(R) 82810E Graphics Controller(Microsoft Corp.)(Display Adapter)
Samsung Syncmaster (Monitor)

11) Multimedia: Avance AC'97 Audio
MPU-401 Compatible MIDI Device
Pinnacle PCTV data Service
" WDM Audio Capture
" WDM Video Capture
Standard Game Port
Unimodem Full-Duplex Audio Device

12) Communications: HSP56 MicroModem
Digi - 5700TX PCI Fast Ethernet Adapter

13) Other Devices: CIF USB Camera(2110)
Standard 101/102-Key PS/2 Keyboard
Logitech compatible PS/2 Mouse
USB Root Hub
USB Root Hub

Without wading through a hardware compatability list, it looks good to me.

Just a couple of questions: Is that modem an external modem (or, at least, a *full* modem)? Winmodems *can* be difficult to get working in Linux, although Mandrake, like most distros, now recognizes and configures many of them automatically.

Do you know the *real* manufacturer of your video card? It will probably configure just fine during installation, and you can guess what it is based on the final xorg.conf file. If it is ATI- or nvidea-based, you can get proprietary video drivers to improve performance.

Basically, I would be willing to give Mandrake a shot on that machine.

Try MandrakeMove its a live CD (runs from CD into RAM) like Knoppix.

You'll be able to see what bits of hardware work and what bits don't.